Yogyakarta

It stretches from the slopes of mighty Mount Merapi in the north to the wave-swept beaches of the powerful Indian Ocean to the south. It was the mighty Javanese Empire of Mataram, Ngayogyakarto Hadiningrat. Yog¬ya¬karta (Yogya) came into being in 1755, when a land dispute split the power of Mataram into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Prince Mangkubumi built Kraton of Yogyakarta and created one of the most powerful Javanese states ever. The Kraton is still the hub of Yogyakarta’s traditional life and despite the advances of the 20th century; it still radiates the spirit of refinement which has been the hallmark of its art and people for centures. Yogyakarta is one of the supreme cultural centers of Java. Gamelan orchestras keep alive the rhythms the past, classical Javanese dances entrance with visions of beauty and poise, shadows come to life in the stories of the wayang kulit and a myriad of traditional visual art forms keep locals and visitors alike spellbound. It stretches from the slopes of mighty Mount Merapi in the north to the wave-swept beaches of the powerful Indian Ocean to the south.

Getting there:

Domestic and International flights service Yogyakarta. Tugu train station close to Malioboro Street has several inexpensive express trains from and to java overland everyday. Good express service from Jakarta and Surabaya. Buses also ope¬rate regularly to Borobudur and Prambanan Temples. Bicycles and motorcycles can be hired cheaply.

Tourism Events=]

• The Ramayana Ballet is a very popular show. It performed at open air theatre in Prambanan Temple every full-moon evening from May to October from 7.30 pm.
• Jathilan Kuda Lumping (Bamboo Horse Dan¬ce) at Bugisan Village near Prambanan Temple.

Places of Interest

Kaliurang.
Kaliurang. A popular mountain resort 24 km from Yogyakarta and lies on the slopes of Mt. Merapi is surrounded by enchanting countryside. Mt. Merapi active volcano 2,968 m above sea leree. It takes 10 hours to reach the top.

Taman Sari.

Taman Sari. Just west of the kraton, are the ruins, pools, arches and underground passages of the former pleasure gardens, the Taman Sari (Water Castle). Literally “fragrant garden” Built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I, the Sultan and his harem would relax here and from the tower over looking the female bathing pools. It is located in the old part of the city within walking distance from the Bird Market. Open everyday from 8 am to 2 pm.

Imogiri

Imogiri, the official cemetery of the royal descendents from Yogyakarta and Surakarta, is about 17 kms southeast of Yogyakarta and easily accessible by the bus or car. The tombs lie within three main courtyards perched on a hilltop. Entry into the smaller courtyards housing the tombs of the prin¬ces is allowed only by visitors wearing traditional Javanese dress. Open on Monday 09.00 am to 12.00 pm and Friday 13.00 pm to 16.00 pm The cemetery is closed during the Moslem month of Ramadhan.

"Beringharjo” Traditional Market.

“Beringharjo” Traditional Market. This traditional market sells many things from batiks to traditional cuisines in the north of the kraton. You can see

Jalan Malioboro

Jalan Malioboro. Food stalls replace souvenir stands on Jalan Malioboro and serve the Yogya’s specific menu “gudeg” rice with young jackfruit cooked in coconut milk. Enjoy the food in “lesehan” (seat on the woven mats) foodstall along the pavement and enjoy the Yogya’s specific menu “gudeg” rice with young jackfruit cooked in coconut milk.

Sonobudoyo Museum.

Sonobudoyo Museum. Jalan Malioboro This museum founded in November 1935 and designed by the Dutch architect Kersten, in the traditional Javanese style of architecture. On exhibit are weapons, wayang kulit (leather puppets), masks, original eight century statues and bronze articles from temple in Central Java, ceramic from Neolithic age, textiles, curios and old Javanese gamelan instruments. The museum is situated on the northern side of the city’s alun-alun (Main Square) in front of the Sultan’s Palace. Open on Tuesday - Thusday at 8 am - 1 pm and 8 pm - 12 pm on Friday - Saturday.

“Ngasem” Bird Market

“Ngasem” Bird Market. All kinds of birds and other animal are sold in this “Javanese Styles” market open everyday. Located at the South of Taman Sari, this is pleasure place to visit.

Batik Research Center.

Batik Research Center. Situated on the eastern outskirts of the city, the Batik Research Center has an interesting permanent exhibition of batiks in classic and modern designs. Both the hand-drawn and hand stamped batik processes can be seen here.

Affandi Museum.

Affandi Museum. Set in a lush garden off the main road between the airport and the city stands the Affandi Museum on the bank of the Gajah Wong River. Affandi was Indonesia’s foremost impressionist painter who built a private museum for his own painting¬s. Open Monday - Friday from 9 am-4 pm and on Saturday from 9 am-1 pm.

Kalasan Temple.

Kalasan Temple. This unique Buddhist temple is located some 16 km eastern side of Yog¬yakarta, on the south side of the main road between Yogyakarta and Solo. It was built in honor of the marriage bet¬ween king Pancapana of the Sanjaya Dynasty and a Princess of the Cailendra Dynasty, Dyah Pramudya Wardhani. It is elaborately ornate, with finely carved reliefs preserved with “vajralepa”, from the sap of a local tree.

Kotagede

Kotagede, a picturesque town about five kilometres southeast of Yogyakarta, was once the seat of the mighty Mataram Empire. Since the 1930s Kotagede has become famous as the center of the Yogya silverwork industry. Kotagede is easily reached by four wheeled horsedrawn cart, taxi, bus, or car.

Sewu Hills

Sewu Hills Karst area formed by rock dissolubility. Covers about 13,000 km2 with unique geomorphology, indicated by conical limestone, domes, valleys (doline and poltje) and caves with stalactites and stalagmites inside, and also underground ri¬vers. Based on its unique scientific values and also social phenomenon, the International Union of Speleology proposed that the Sewu hills area in Gunung Kidul regency, to be World Natural Heritage. Enjoy rock climbing at Siung Beach (Seropan and Watu Grupit). Caving (Cerme, Seropan, Bri¬bin, Grubug, Jomblang and Kalisuci Cave), Historical and Religious Tourism (Rancang Kencono, Braholo and Maria Tritis Cave).

Parang Tritis Beach

Parang Tritis Beach. A popular seaside resort 28 kms south of Yogyakarta on the Indian Ocean, Parang Tritis combines rocky hills, dunes, and a white sandy beach. It is famous in Javanese mytho¬logy as the home of the Goddess of the South Seas, who was married to Panembahan Senopati, founder of the Mataram Kingdom. Every year the sultans of Yogyakarta make special offerings to her in a beachside ceremony called “Labuhan”.

Kasongan

Kasongan famous for its artistic export quality pottery. It is located some 7 km from Yogyakarta.

Parangkusumo Sand Dunes

Parangkusumo Sand Dunes are a world heritage site, a lump of a sand that is 20 m2 above sea level.

Agrotourism Salak Pondoh

Agrotourism Salak Pondoh, is located some 5 km, east of Temple District in Sleman regency.

Taru Martani cigar

Taru Martani cigar was founded in1918, created to satisfy the craves of cigar lovers. Until now the company produces 14 types of cigars which are well known worldwide : Cigarillos, Extra Cigarillos, Senioritas, Panatella, Slim Panatella, Half Corona, Corona, Super Corona/Grand Corona, Boheme, Ro¬yal Perfecto, Rothschild, Churchill.

Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace The Kraton (palace)

Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace The Kraton (palace) court with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture lies in the center of the city bet¬ween the Winongo and Code Rivers. The palace grounds, courtyards and buildings stretch from north to south, in line with Mount Merapi. Until now, the Kraton still serves as the Sultan’s open everyday 8 am - 1 pm, except Friday close at 12 pm.

Prambanan Temple

Prambanan Temple This magnificent Hindu temple derives it name from the village where it is located, seventeen kilometres east of Yogyakarta. Locally known as the Roro Jongrang Temple, or the Temple of the Slender Virgin, it is the most magnificent and beautiful Hindu temple in Indonesia. Located some 17 km from Yogyakarta it opens everyday from 06.00 am to 05.00 pm.